By Kassim Afegbua
Barring any rupture in the progress of the dialogue between Labour and the Federal Government, the 62k minimum wage imbroglio is likely to be reposed soon. We hear that government is planning to offer N62k monthly; this may sail through only for the near future: it presumably will stretch government purse to its full elasticity, thereby voyaging us to another round of financial strain on all sides; in the private and public sectors. This is not rocket science. The initial threat to embark on another strike by the Ajaero-led NLC was another red-herring, but thank goodness that the NLC decided to put everything on hold and wait on the government to act responsibly, on this and other financial issues placed before it. Before it decides on a strike action again, the Ajaero led NLC must factor in several possible and plausible outcomes that would stir both government and the employees that the NLC poses to be fighting for. The strain in the economy is real; the hardship in the country is palpable panoptic; bedeviling even other workers not under government employ. The NLC should bear in mind that in its effort to find a solution to one economic situation, it must be careful not to allow the find be the bedrock of other fiscal challenges for the country e.g inflation and hyper-inflation. A bird’s eye view needs to be on improving our productivity to correspond with the extra money being demanded. The NLC’s demands may not be met summarily, even with good faith on the part of the government; and grandstanding on this matter, when the 62k minimum wage has not fully sunk into our system will invariably hurt our economy, carrying with it other vicissitudes as a consequence. Hence, Labour must be cautious, conscious and considerate in taking precipitate action at this time.
The much rumoured and expected minimum wage of N62k monthly notch offer should be embraced given our circumstances. This would be about 100.2% increase from the current N30k per month, which was not even fully met across the board. That for me, will be a move in the right direction. This move can be leveraged in the future. The NLC’s insistence that the government honours its proposal of N250k monthly will be an overkill. A quantum leap to N250k as minimum wage, when every other means of production remain almost stagnant, will impact negatively on our economic projections and further put the state of affairs in a very difficult situation. An economy that is not buoyant cannot pick up overnight, if deliberate actions are not taken; and, to raise the volume of our recurrent expenditure, will widen the gulf between our capital expenditure projections and the recurrent. We produce to consume only, instead of producing for export also. Our infrastructure has not attained that level of stability to withstand the shocks in the system. What the NLC should look into now is how to decentralise the salary structure across the states in order to encourage states to latch unto their comparative advantage in revenue generation and distribution. The solution should not be strike and strike any time NLC fails to get what it demands of the government. Strike actions, under our democracy, should not be an attraction because it could totally unalive our ailing economy.
Nigeria of 2015 is not the same as Nigeria of 2024. So many things have happened and changed over the years that dealt dense blows to our economy. The current economic calamity was waiting to happen. The storm and stress in the economy were lurking in the air; it is no surprise. The sharp practices in the system went unchecked over a long period, as the cabinet members under President Buhari had a field day lining their pockets; and the civil servants too in their offices, did just whatever they could to line their own pockets. To cut the cackle, corruption is one of the biggest reasons for our collective suffering; it must stop for the system to work for all. While I am not poised to lament the ills of the past, the facts of history must be captured, in the pursuit of a better tomorrow; pure and simple.
In their contemplation, the Ajaero-led NLC and her TUC counterpart, should reflect deeply on the ramifications of the last strike action e.g the number of people that lost their lives and those who lost dear ones as a result of the total blackout in the country, occasioned by its actions, when they put off the national grid. They should also know that children of their members whom they are fighting for will be affected by the actions and inactions of the unions. In their contemplation, they must balance the temperament of the people and the desire for a salary increase. They should bear in mind that the government is willing to discuss these issues with them; as they have always done, and that if they are unable to secure 100% of their demands, it should not necessarily be a call to bring the roof down. I strongly advocate that the unions accept the N62k monthly minimum wage package which we are expecting to be it for now, test run the policy across the states, see how effective it is, before asking for more at a later date. We cannot throw away the baby with the bath water. We must learn to bend backwards and concede some bargains, while waiting for another day to ask for more. Government and labour must see themselves as partners in progress, bonded together by a common commitment to make Nigeria work. It shouldn’t be a friend-enemy binary; rather, a robust and constructive collaboration that will birth achievable resolutions without hurting one another.
Furthermore, on NLC’s contemplations, the union and its affiliates must put the overall interest of the people and the country at heart. Strike actions are not necessarily helpful in resolving issues. In the global arena, economic downturns have been recorded across the board. Many countries are currently on the lookout for measures that will mitigate and abate the painful realities of their poor economic rendition: from Vietnam to UK, China to even America, countries are looking inwards to formulate policies and take steps to arrest the drift in their economic fortunes. What we must do here with the help of Labour, is eradicate corruption!!! Nothing comes easy. As I write, the internal sabotage of some investment projections are having telling impact on our determination to sail through the stormy waters of bad economy. Therefore, our labour unions should in the larger interest of the country know where to apply their breaks in order to absorb the tempers and angers within the polity. The union must decide to do their own part to eradicate corruption. We cannot get everything we want in one day. We all know that human wants are insatiable, but we look to the government to make effort for us all to see, that it has the interest of its citizens at heart. The government needs to build the trust of citizens. President Tinubu has so much to contend with right now we know, and he needs to reduce what citizens have to be desired. Citizens are crying for better security, healthcare, revenue and other social amenities. The president should cut cost and conscientiously put a stop to the practice of profligacy which is quite infuriating in our dire straits. For example, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue has no business taking so many of his aides to London for whatever reason, when we are lamenting financial paucity. We all need to act responsibly.
. Afegbua is a former Commission for information in Edo State. He’s a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Edo.
